ABSTRACT
The actual origin of strain-related potentials is not, however, determined by establishing that there are charge-producting structures present, although the concept does illustrate how mechanical deformation of such an electrically ordered region will produce a nonequilibrium effect and hence net potential. This chapter discusses certain observations and other groups and draws certain tentative conclusions regarding structural features and their relationship to bioelectric phenomena and to growth or healing in bone. A considerable study of electrochemical effects in cell function has been made by Pilla, using pulsed magnetic fields. One of the hypotheses has been that changes in electrochemical environment around a cell will lead to modifications in the structure of its charged surface regions. Mechanisms of transport through the cell membrane are a further source of control steps, and additionally there is control of mechanical and electrical steady states.
